Account book, with signature of John K. James dated January 1851 on flyleaf, containing manuscript farm accounts with diary entries in ink and pencil. Entries document accounts with local merchants; payments in cash, manufactured goods, and farm produce to named hired hands; types of crops (including wheat, oats, corn, peas and peaches) planted and harvested with related comments about weather conditions; the purchase and sale of produce and livestock; James's purchase of railroad stock and his subscription to several magazines; his acquisition of more acreage from his brother, Samuel, in 1856; and business accounts related to his mill, the manufacture of broomsticks from broom corn, and the settlement of local estates entrusted to his care. James's entries also record land taxes, the handling of the local teacher's fund, and loans of money to nearby farmers. The bulk of entries predate 1877. Recipes for pickling produce and curing livestock and human ailments also included. Three clippings pasted on inside of front cover.
Description:
John K. James was a grain farmer in Poweshiek County, Iowa., Pages 128-225, 228-268 are blank, not digitized., Pressed leaves found between pp. 226-227., and Purchased from Carmen D. Valentino on the William Robertson Coe Fund No. 3, 2003.
Subject (Geographic):
Iowa--Economic conditions and Poweshiek County (Iowa)
Subject (Name):
James, John K
Subject (Topic):
Farms--Iowa--Poweshiek County and Mills and mill-work--Iowa